Research Overview —
The role of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological disorders, has gained greater interest in recent years. Mitochondria synthesize fatty acids that are crucial for the production of ATP. I am investigating how perturbations in mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (mtFAS) influence energy production and how alterations in bioenergetic homeostasis affect cells in the central nervous system.
Selected Grants
- 2T32HDO57850-11A1 Nudo (PI) 06/15/2020 – 06/14/2021
- Kansas University Training Program in Neurological and Rehabilitation Sciences
- Mabel A Woodyard Fellowship in Neurodegenerative Disorders 10/01/2020 –10/01/21
Publications —
Koppel SJ, Pei D, Wilkins HM, Weidling IW, Wang X, Menta BW, Perez-Ortiz J, Kalani A, Manley S, Novikova L, Koestler DC, Swerdlow RH. A ketogenic diet differentially affects neuron and astrocyte transcription. J Neurochem. 2021 Feb 4.
Wang X, Weidling I, Koppel S, Menta B, Perez Ortiz J, Kalani A, Wilkins HM, Swerdlow RH. Detection of mitochondria-pertinent components in exosomes. Mitochondrion. 2020 Nov;55:100-110.
Weidling IW, Wilkins HM, Koppel SJ, Hutfles L, Wang X, Kalani A, Menta BW, Ryan B, Perez-Ortiz J, Gamblin TC, Swerdlow RH. Mitochondrial DNA Manipulations Affect Tau Oligomerization. J Alzheimers Dis. 2020;77(1):149-163.
Ji Y, Wang X, Kalicki C, Menta BW, Baumgardner M, Koppel SJ, Weidling IW, Perez-Ortiz J, Wilkins HM, Swerdlow RH. Effects of Microglial Cytokines on Alzheimer's Disease-Related Phenomena. J Alzheimers Dis. 2019; 67(3):1021-1034.
Ji Y, Wang X, Kalicki C, Menta BW, Baumgardner M, Koppel SJ, Weidling IW, Perez-Ortiz J, Wilkins HM, Swerdlow RH. (2019) Effects of Microglial Cytokines on Alzheimer's Disease-Related Phenomena. J Alzheimers Dis.; 67(3):1021-1034.
Menta BW, Swerdlow RH. (2018) An Integrative Overview of Non-Amyloid and Non-Tau Pathologies in Alzheimer's Disease. Neurochem Res. 2018 Aug 6.
Cooper MA, Menta BW, Perez-Sanchez C, Jack MM, Khan ZW, Ryals JM, Winter M, Wright DE. (2018) A ketogenic diet reduces metabolic syndrome-induced allodynia and promotes peripheral nerve growth in mice. Exp Neurol, 306: p. 149-157.
Cooper MA, O'Meara B, Jack MM, Elliot D, Lamb B, Khan ZW, Menta BW, Ryals JM, Winter MK, Wright DE. Intrinsic Activity of C57BL/6 Substrains Associates with High-Fat Diet-Induced Mechanical Sensitivity in Mice. (2018) Journal of Pain, 19(11):1285–1295
Presentations —
Menta BW. (March 2019) Lipid Homeostasis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease. Oral presentation. Neuroscience Graduate Program Symposium. Lawrence, KS.
Awards and Honors —
- Karen B. and Kelly D. Gregg Graduate Student Award for Alzheimer’s Awarded 2020
- T32 Neurological and Rehabilitation Sciences Training Program, trainee. Awarded 2018
- T32 Fall Retreat (2018) Outstanding Oral Presentation, Graduate Student. Kansas City, KS